Mr. George W. Brooks III's Obituary
Brooks Funeral Home mourns the loss of our treasured leader, George W. Brooks III, of Saint Paul, who passed away peacefully after a long and courageous journey with illness. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, conscientious son, loyal brother, and generous supporter of his community and friends.
A one-time Pullman Porter, veteran of the US Army, and US Customs agent, his later decades were spent as the third-generation proprietor of Brooks Funeral Home (est. 1941) the second oldest surviving black business in Minnesota. In this second half of his life he was tirelessly dedicated to helping thousands of African American families of the Twin Cities complete final arrangements for and send their loved ones on to their eternal rest with grace and dignity.
A graduate of the University of MN he was also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, the St. Paul Sterling Club, and served as a former board member of the Jimmy Lee Teen Center, and was a constant source of stability, inspiration, and wise counsel to all that crossed his path.
"GW" is survived by his wife Margaret; and sons Michael (Miki), David (Christine), Sanders (Mari), and George; grandchildren Mason and Lucille; and a host of relatives and extended family around the world.
"The Measure of a man's life is the well spending of it, and not the length." - Plutarch
George spent wisely, and we are richer for it. He will be missed.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the UNCF, NAACP, or the African American History Museum.
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